President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates sparks fierce criticism from Senator Tom Cotton, who labels it a dangerous political move.
At a Glance
- Biden considers commuting sentences of federal death row inmates, including those convicted of heinous crimes
- Senator Tom Cotton strongly criticizes Biden’s decision, calling it politically motivated
- Attorney General Merrick Garland recommends commuting most of the 40 death row sentences to life imprisonment
- Biden’s move aligns with his 2020 campaign promise to work towards eliminating the federal death penalty
- Cotton’s resolution to condemn Biden’s clemency decision for a former judge involved in the “Kids for Cash” scandal blocked by Senate Democrats
Biden’s Controversial Decision on Death Row Inmates
President Joe Biden is considering a move that has ignited a firestorm of controversy: commuting the sentences of federal death row inmates, including those convicted of heinous crimes such as murdering children and fellow inmates. This decision, potentially to be announced by Christmas, aligns with Biden’s lifelong Catholic beliefs and his opposition to capital punishment.
Attorney General Merrick Garland has recommended commuting most of the 40 death row sentences to life imprisonment. However, exceptions may be made for notorious criminals like Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Robert Bowers, and Dylann Roof. This consideration follows Biden’s meeting with Pope Francis, who has advocated for the commutation of death row inmates.
The chaos that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have unleashed isn’t limited to the other side of the world.
The Biden-Harris administration just admitted that they have released 13,000 convicted murderers on to our streets. pic.twitter.com/nlo98oSqy3
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) September 29, 2024
Senator Cotton’s Fierce Opposition
Senator Tom Cotton has emerged as a vocal critic of Biden’s decision, labeling it as a dangerous political maneuver that jeopardizes justice and order. Cotton’s opposition intensified when Senate Democrats blocked his resolution to condemn Biden’s clemency decision for Michael Conahan, a former judge involved in the “Kids for Cash” scandal.
“The cruelty of these commutations is only matched by the shameless incompetence of the administration that issued them,” Senator Tom Cotton said.
Cotton’s criticism extends beyond the Conahan case. He highlighted other controversial commutations, including those for Josephine Gray, known as the “Black Widow,” a drug lord, and a doctor involved in a Medicare scam. These cases, according to Cotton, demonstrate the administration’s misguided approach to criminal justice.
Defending the Decision
Despite the backlash, some Democrats have come to Biden’s defense. Senator Dick Durbin argued that the commutations were for individuals committed to rehabilitation. “President Biden’s commutations directed at a group of individuals who’ve demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation are far more defensible than President Trump’s use of pardon power during his first term,” Durbin stated.
However, the defense has done little to quell the controversy. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro expressed strong disapproval of the Conahan commutation, stating he “strongly that President Biden got it absolutely wrong and created a lot of pain here in northeastern Pennsylvania.”
The U.S. Constitution grants the president the power to pardon federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment. This power does not extend to state crimes. While a pardon does not erase a conviction from a criminal record, it can restore civil rights and aid in obtaining licenses or employment.
But Biden is clearing abusing this power, isn’t he?
